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How Nigerian Troops Repelled Boko Haram Attack in Gubio-
Media Cordinator
The recent humiliating defeats suffered by marauding Boko
Haram/Islamic State’s West Africa Province criminals in Damboa,
Borno State and Garkida in Adamawa State in the hands of the troops
of Operation LAFIYA DOLE is being sustained with more debilitating
defeat of the terrorists.
Evidently, the devasting defeat suffered by the criminal
insurgents has continued to widen the cracks and animosities
exposed recently within the ranks and files of the Boko Haram
criminal Sect on the one hand and between it and its rival splinter
Sect, the so-called on the other, while also providing the troops
with the much needed tonic to continuing to decimate the terrorists
in a bid to expeditiously end their obnoxious activities. In the
same vein, armed bandits, kidnappers and other sundry criminals are
finding it increasingly difficult to operate across the country as
Nigerian Army troops continue to step up their anti-banditry
operations across the NC and NW Regions in particular.
It could be recalled that on 11 March 2020, the gallant troops
of Strong Response Area Gubio successfully repelled a Boko Haram
criminals’ attack. During the encounter, troops dealt a decisive
blow on the marauding criminals, neutralized 2 of them and captured
one AK 47 Rifle. Subsequent exploitation by the troops along the
withdrawal route of the insurgents in the early hours of 12 March
2020 led to the discovery of additional 5 Boko Haram criminals’
shattered bodies resulting from the encounter, one burnt Boko Haram
terrorists Gun Truck, one PKT Machine Gun, 2 AK 47 Rifles, 3 AK 47
Rifle magazines and 67 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.
Furthermore, on the same 5 March 2020, 2 Boko Haram terrorists,
Musa Mohammed (21 years) and Maina Liman (35 years) surrendered to
troops of 202 Battalion deployed at Tashan Goto in Bama LGA of
Borno State. The surrendered terrorists confessed that they worked
for the Nakib (a Boko Haram Captain) at Bula Umar Village. The
troops recovered 2 AK 47 Rifles, 2 AK 47 Rifle Magazines and 8
rounds of 7.62mm Special Ammunition from the surrendered
terrorists. The surrendered criminals further revealed that a
number of their erstwhile members were killed by troops in recent
times while others are left wandering in the forest and willing to
surrender to troops of the Nigerian Army as they are tired of life
without meaning. They also regretted their involvement in the act
of insurgency while calling on their former collaborators to also
take the bold step to renounce and submit themselves to the
authorities of the Nigerian Army. In a related development, on 8
March 2020, another Boko Haram Terrorist, Bulama Modu Zantaliye
surrendered to troops of 151 Battalion deployed at Strong Response
Area Banki Junction. Preliminary investigation reveals that the
surrendered terrorist belongs to the Shekau faction. He also calls
on his former colleagues to tow the path of sanity and surrender
themselves to troops of the Nigerian Army as their safety and
security are guaranteed.
In the North Central region, on 9 March 2020, troops responded
to an information from some locals confirming the presence of some
bandits in the general area of Abinsi and Angbaye Islands in Guma
LGA of Benue State. The troops subsequently mobilized and conducted
a robust clearance operation along the axis. Troops discovered and
destroyed 2 makeshift camps where the armed bandits used to
hibernate on the Islands. The raid forced the armed bandits to flee
the gen area. Nevertheless, troops pursued the bandits until
contact was broken along the River line separating Benue and
Nassarawa States. In the aftermath of the encounter, troops
recovered one AK 47 magazine with 22 rounds of 7.62mm Special
ammunition.
In the Northwest region, on 8 March 2020, troops of 8 Division
on Operation MESA acting on credible information on the activities
of armed herdsmen in Tara Village of Sabon Birni LGA of Sokoto
State, fiercely mobilized to the area, made contact with the armed
herdsmen and arrested 2 suspects, namely; Sule Sale and Umar
Alhaji, while others fled abandoning 110 cattle. Also, same troops
conducted a successful cordon and search operation at Banji Village
of Bodinga LGA of Sokoto State, neutralized one notorious kidnap
kingpin named Juliet. Additionally, in the early hours of 9 March
2020, Nigerian Army troops deployed in Kebe, Sokoto State while on
clearance operation came in contact with some bandits at Jigawa
Village. Following the encounter, 6 bandits were neutralized while
3 Dane guns and 4 motorcycles were captured by the troops. In the
same vein 2 other motorcycles were destroyed due to troops’ high
volume of fire on the criminals. Regrettably, one gallant soldier
was wounded in action during the encounter. The wounded in action
soldier has been evacuated to a military medical facility and is in
stable condition.
Relatedly, on 9 March 2020, troops of 1 Division Garrison, while on
clearance operation to Maguzawa general area of Igabi LGA of Kaduna
State, made contact with some bandits. Resulting from the brief
encounter, one bandit was neutralized while others were believed to
have fled with gunshot wounds as indicated by the trails of blood
along their withdrawal route.
Earlier on, in the early hours of 6 March 2020, troops of 8
Division deployed at Zurmi LGA of Sokoto State sprung a successful
ambush against bandits at Gidan Jaja Village in the same LGA. In
the aftermath of the encounter, one bandit was neutralised while
troops captured one Rocket Propelled Gun Tube, one Rocket Propelled
Gun bomb, one AK 47 Rifle, one AK 47 Rifle magazine loaded with 11
rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and one motorcycle.
Furthermore, on 10 March 2020, following the receipt of an
information about armed bandits attack on locals at Kawaye Villave
in Anka LGA of Zamfara State, troops of 8 Division deployed at
Forward Operating Base Bagega swiftly mobilized to the scene and
engaged the bandits forcing them to flee. As a result, troops
rescued 4 kidnapped victims and recovered one cutlass alongside one
motorcycle belonging to the bandits. Similarly, on same 10 March
2020, troops of 1 Division Garrison vigorously pursued some
suspected kidnappers and rescued from them 2 kidnapped victims,
Miss Rukaya Bello and her brother Abubakar Bello. The duo were
kidnapped from Mahuta Village in Makarfi LGA of Kaduna State. In
another development, on 10 March 2020, troops of 223 Battalion
while on a brief deployment at Forward Operations Base, Marafa in
Gwandu LGA of Kebbi State neutralised one bandit while several
others were believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds during a
meeting engagement in the area.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai
wishes to reassure the general public of the resolve of the
Nigerian Army to continue to execute our constitutional mandate
professionally and responsively for a better, safe and secure
Nigeria. He also thanks all well-meaning Nigerians for their
continued support, goodwill and understanding towards officers and
men of the Nigerian Army.
AMINU ILIYASU
Colonel
Nigerian Army Operations Media Coordinator